7 of Wands

Keywords & phrases

• Take a stand
• Fight for what you believe
• Rise above
• Perseverance
• Determination
• Tenacity
• Resilience
• Victory
• Taking the high ground

First impressions

The 7 of Wands in the Rider Waite deck reminds me of a physical endurance/survival test you might see on TV.

What is happening in the card?

The character in the 7 of Wands is dressed in a green tunic and yellow under shirt. He is on high ground and we are looking up at him. The sky is blue and cloudless.

He is holding a long stave defensively in front of his chest, as if fighting off some attack. His face is a mask of fierce concentration. Or could it be anger and aggression.

Below him in the foreground we see the tops of the 6 upright staves that he appears to be fending off. What we don’t know is what is going on just beyond the bottom border of the card. One possible scenario is that the staves are weapons being brandished by assailants known, or unknown, to him. Another possibility is that they are in fact poles in the ground, which raises a question.

Is he defending himself or staking a claim?

How can we relate to this card?

The 7 of Wands is a card that we can all relate to when we feel like we are under attack. When we have taken up a position and we are sticking with it, defending it come what may.

This card brings with it great energy when we need to stick to our guns on something that matters to us. Here is someone taking a stand, defending what they believe in, enduring the ‘the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’.

There is a definite sense in this card that the protagonist is under attack from enemies real or imagined. He’s putting up the good fight, however, this is an uncomfortable position to hold over a long period.

Therefore, the 7 of Wands asks us to also pick our battles wisely. If you’re going to stick to a cause, be sure it’s the right one and that you can stay the distance.

Message & affirmations

Today, I show up, stand up and speak up for myself, my loved ones and the people I work with, for the vulnerable and those without a voice. I show up with passion and drive, courage and compassion, honesty and integrity, patience and faith, and with love.

My personal experiences of this card

I always used to read this card very simply as ‘you will overcome your obstacles’. But more recently I have come to understand the 7 of Wands is more about the ‘how’ of victory than the victory itself.

The 7 of Wands speaks of how we must call on the determination and drive of The Chariot – ruler of the 7s – in order to overcome. Sometimes we must screw up our courage, muster all the Netzach energy that we have within us to stand our ground and succeed.

I’ve long been interested in the association between the Tree of Life and Tarot. Every time I return to studying Tarot I end up going further into the subject of Kabbalah (or Qabalah). It’s a complex subject and my grasp of it is basic.

It is when we get to the Tarot 7s, and the 7th Sephira of Netzach, that I really start to appreciate how one deepens my understanding of and connection with the other. In the 7 of Wands we see so clearly someone expressing the energy of Netzach – endurance, tenacity, persistence, determination.

This person will survive. They will overcome.

We also see this single-minded, determined and sometimes obsessive energy play out in the other 7s of the Tarot with varying consequences.

Events, situations & readings

In a work/career/business spread:
In relation to work, the 7 of Wands could represent and situation where you need to defend your position, stand your ground.

In a relationship spread:
This may be an indication that you need to stand up for yourself in a relationship. Set your boundaries and remain firm.

Reversed:
In reversal the 7 of Wands could indicate that you are lacking determination in a situation and calls on you to pluck up your courage and face your problems head-on.

Alternatively, it could be prompting you to check in with yourself about who or what you are fighting for… is it worth it or is it possible that you could have picked ‘a strange hill to die on’?

Or, here’s another one… perhaps your biggest obstacles are coming from with in.

People & interaction with other cards

When the 7 of Wands appears with The Chariot you may want to draw on his energy to keep you focused in the face of opposition.

With other 7s you should consider carefully what it is you are focussing your energy on – is it the right path or a distraction? Do the ends justify the means? Is it worth the investment of time, energy, money?

With the 6 of Swords there is a strong indication that you will overcome your problems and when followed by the 8 of Wands you can expect things to start moving in the right direction if you can stand your ground.

The Knight of Wands would be a great supporting energy in a 7 of Wands situation.

Questions, prompts & insights

Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in? Will you keep going in the face of opposition?

How far are will you go to defend your position?

Where are your obstacles coming from – within or without?

Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot.